Abstract: A packaging system comprises a sterilized medical device. An elongated flexible tubular sleeve insertably receives the sterilized medical device. A peel-open pouch sealably contains the sterilized medical device and elongated flexible tubular sleeve. In an embodiment of the invention, a tubular sleeve card is coupled to a proximal end of the flexible tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve card surrounding at least a portion of a proximal end of the sterilized medical device.

Abstract: A forceps system including a handle. The handle includes an immovable proximal handgrip and a lever resiliently pivotably coupled to the immovable proximal handgrip, such that exertion of a manual gripping force on the lever pivots the lever in a proximal direction toward the handgrip. A shaft and jaw assembly is releasably couplable to the handle, the shaft and jaw assembly including a pair of pivotable jaw members normally biased to an open configuration, the open configuration of the jaws corresponding to a released configuration of the handle, the jaws being moved to a closed configuration upon the exertion of the manual gripping force on the lever, pivoting the lever toward the handgrip.

Abstract: A specimen collection tube for collection of biological or hazardous specimens with or without transfer media, collection means (swab, capillary tube, brush, or biopsy needle) and screw top cap. The proximal end of the collection means engages the proximal side of the specimen tube to secure the collection means at a given depth near the bottom of the tube, which may contain preservative, transfer, or wash media. The specimen collection tube has engagement means at the distal end to attach additional test tube for transfer and further processing of sample. The bottom of specimen collection tube is penetrable within the center of engagement means so that specimen can be transferred to test tube using centrifugation to force specimen through bottom as collection means is held in place.

Abstract: A specimen collection tube for collection of biological or hazardous specimens with or without transfer media, collection means (swab, capillary tube, brush, or biopsy needle) and screw top cap. The proximal end of the collection means engages the proximal side of the specimen tube to secure the collection means at a given depth near the bottom of the tube, which may contain preservative, transfer, or wash media. The specimen collection tube has engagement means at the distal end to attach additional test tube for transfer and further processing of sample. The bottom of specimen collection tube is penetrable within the center of engagement means so that specimen can be transferred to test tube using centrifugation to force specimen through bottom as collection means is held in place.

Abstract: A multi-chamber test tube and method of using same is provided, wherein the multi-chamber test tube has a selectively breachable internal divider structure. The internal divider structure includes at least one septum that divides an internal volume of the test tube into at least two chambers that are isolated from liquid communication with one another. At least a portion of the at least one septum is configured to be breached under predetermined conditions, to permit liquid communication between the at least two chambers. The multi-chamber test tube has application, for example, during a quantitative or real time-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR or RT-PCR) test, to facilitate accurate detection of gene expression and pathogen detection using RNA analysis by allowing for the initial separation of the reverse transcription reaction from the PCR reaction.

Abstract: An electrosurgery system and method of practicing electrosurgery are provided, which incorporate the use of an electrosurgery probe. The electrosurgery probe an electrosurgery probe includes an electrically-conductive element comprised of a surgical tool tip segment, a mid-segment, and an electrical contact segment. The mid-segment includes a hollow, unobstructed tube having a wall and an interior flow passage, an open distal end and a closed proximal end. The mid-segment is coupled directly to the surgical tool tip segment and to the electrical contact segment. An opening is formed in the mid-segment which is in fluid communication with the interior flow passage. The surgical tool tip segment, the mid-segment and the electrical contact segment are all comprised of at least one electrically-conductive material.

Abstract: An electrosurgery system and method of practicing electrosurgery are provided, which incorporate the use of an electrosurgery probe. The electrosurgery probe an electrosurgery probe includes an electrically-conductive element comprised of a surgical tool tip segment, a mid-segment, and an electrical contact segment. The mid-segment includes a hollow, unobstructed tube having a wall and an interior flow passage, an open distal end and a closed proximal end. The mid-segment is coupled directly to the surgical tool tip segment and to the electrical contact segment. An opening is formed in the mid-segment which is in fluid communication with the interior flow passage. The surgical tool tip segment, the mid-segment and the electrical contact segment are all comprised of at least one electrically-conductive material.

Abstract: An electrosurgery probe comprises tip, mid-, and electrical contact segments. The mid-segment is a tube open at one end, closed at the other, and an interior flow passage. An opening formed through the wall of the tube adjacent to the closed end of the mid-segment and fluidly communicating with the interior flow passage. An electrosurgery system includes the electrosurgery probe and an electrosurgery handpiece. The handpiece comprises an elongate body segment and an exhaust cap attached to the body segment. A main flow passage extends longitudinally through the handpiece, and a second passage extends longitudinally through a distal portion of the body segment. In use, the probe is removably disposed in the handpiece such that the electrical contact segment is positioned within the second passage and the mid-segment opening is positioned within the exhaust cap and in fluid communication with the main flow passage.

Abstract: The invention provides a cautery electrode comprising an insulated shaft and a conductive element. The insulated shaft includes first and second channels disposed within the shaft and extending the length of the shaft. The conductive element comprises a tip segment, a mid-segment, and an electrical contact segment. The conductive element is disposed within the first channel such that the tip segment extends from a distal end of the shaft, the mid-segment is within the shaft, and the electrical contact segment extends from a proximal end of the shaft. A cautery system includes the cautery electrode, a cautery handpiece, a length of tubing, and a connector having first, second, and third connection points. The cautery electrode and the cautery handpiece are removably attached to the connector at the first and second connection points, and the length of tubing is attached to the connector at the third connection point.

Abstract: An electrosurgery probe comprises tip, mid-, and electrical contact segments. The mid-segment is a tube that is open at one end, closed at the other, and has an interior flow passage. An opening formed through the wall of the tube adjacent to the closed end of the mid-segment is in fluid communication with the interior flow passage. An electrosurgery system includes the electrosurgery probe and an electrosurgery handpiece. The handpiece comprises an elongate body segment and an exhaust cap attached to the body segment. A main flow passage extends longitudinally through the handpiece, and a second passage extends longitudinally through a distal portion of the body segment. In use, the probe is removably disposed in the handpiece such that the electrical contact segment is positioned within the second passage and the mid-segment opening is positioned within the exhaust cap and in fluid communication with the main flow passage.

Abstract: The invention provides a cautery electrode comprising an insulated shaft and a conductive element. The insulated shaft includes first and second channels disposed within the shaft and extending the length of the shaft. The conductive element comprises a tip segment, a mid-segment, and an electrical contact segment. The conductive element is disposed within the first channel such that the tip segment extends from a distal end of the shaft, the mid-segment is within the shaft, and the electrical contact segment extends from a proximal end of the shaft. A cautery system includes the cautery electrode, a cautery handpiece, a length of tubing, and a connector having first, second, and third connection points. The cautery electrode and the cautery handpiece are removably attached to the connector at the first and second connection points, and the length of tubing is attached to the connector at the third connection point.

Abstract: The laparoscopic instrument tray system comprises an instrument tray suitable for holding laparoscopic instruments for storage and sterilization and suitable for holding the instruments in an accessible position for use. The tray comprises sides with upwardly and downwardly directed notched cross bars which receive the shanks of laparoscopic instruments. Bails hold the instruments in place during sterilization and transport and are raised to permit access. The instrument tray has a bottom (preferably perforated) for holding other types of instruments for sterilization and access.

Abstract: The cautery instrument body has finger-operated valves for respective connection to sources of suction and irrigation. The valve plungers each have at least one O-ring which engages against a shoulder on the body when the valves are closed to cause positive shutoff when the valves are unactuated. The suction control valve has an adjustable stop to limit valve opening to control suction. The body has connection ports on each end so that it is reversible and has a clear polymer cannula attached in one of the ports for endoscopic utilization. The other port carries a cautery rod which can be extended out of the cannula. The suction and irrigation valves, the adjustable suction stop, and the cautery rod are all positioned so that they can be operated by the fingers of the hand which holds the body of the instrument.

Abstract: The irrigator aspirator instrument body has finger-operated valves for respective connection to sources of suction and irrigation. The body has connection ports on each end that it is reversible and has a clear polymer cannula attached in one of the ports for endoscopic utilization. The body is also transparent so that, during suction, complete aspiration can be observed. The other port carries a cautery rod which can be extended out of the cannula. The polymer cannula prevents capacitive charge coupling to the cannula.

Abstract: Redundant wall retractor is tubular and is obturated for insertion. It has a duct which terminates in an opening at the top of the anterior end and terminates with a tube fitting at the bottom at the posterior end. It is made of dielectric synthetic polymer composition material, preferably transparent to retract tissues during loop electrode excision procedures with the duct positioned for withdrawing smoke.